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On Exhibition: July 17th - August 22nd , 2015
The Artists:
Arya Ghavamian, Laleh Mehran, Justin Mashouf, + Amitis Motevalli
Curatorial Statement:
NOW, as we witnesses the historic events unfolding with a nuclear deal being forged between Iran and six world powers, lead by the United States, the artwork presented within this exhibition is more relevant than ever. Leon is proud to present four exceptional Iranian-American artists whose unique perspectives give a powerful voice to their own personal experiences, as well as larger, more universal truths. Through their use of critical content ranging from global economic forces to political propaganda, from pre-war nostalgia to contemporary hip-hop culture, they express the diversity of their ancestral heritage in a manner which challenges stereotypes and dispels myths.
How important is American identity within the work of immigrant artists? How important is the inclusion of ancestral traditions within their art? Is it possible for first-generation American artists, born of immigrant parents, to express their American identity while retaining and honoring their cultural heritage?
Continental Divide: East of L.A / West of Tehran features select American artists of Iranian descent, who are encouraged to present work that explores issues they have faced in being of Persian descent, the struggles they have encountered in exploring their artistic voice, and their connection, if any, to their ancestral homeland- while also growing up within an American culture that is too often misinformed and antagonistic toward their ancestral homeland.
Featuring artwork by electronic time-based media artist and associate professor of Emergent Digital Practices at DU, Laleh Mehran; Justin Mashouf, 3 time Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker; Arya Ghavamian, photographer and video artist featured recently in Vanity Fair, and Performance and mixed media artist Amitis Motevalli.
Photography by: Amanda Tipton
Continental Divide: East of L.A / West of Tehran
On Exhibition: July 17th - August 22nd , 2015
The Artists:
Arya Ghavamian, Laleh Mehran, Justin Mashouf, + Amitis Motevalli
Curatorial Statement:
NOW, as we witnesses the historic events unfolding with a nuclear deal being forged between Iran and six world powers, lead by the United States, the artwork presented within this exhibition is more relevant than ever. Leon is proud to present four exceptional Iranian-American artists whose unique perspectives give a powerful voice to their own personal experiences, as well as larger, more universal truths. Through their use of critical content ranging from global economic forces to political propaganda, from pre-war nostalgia to contemporary hip-hop culture, they express the diversity of their ancestral heritage in a manner which challenges stereotypes and dispels myths.
How important is American identity within the work of immigrant artists? How important is the inclusion of ancestral traditions within their art? Is it possible for first-generation American artists, born of immigrant parents, to express their American identity while retaining and honoring their cultural heritage?
Continental Divide: East of L.A / West of Tehran features select American artists of Iranian descent, who are encouraged to present work that explores issues they have faced in being of Persian descent, the struggles they have encountered in exploring their artistic voice, and their connection, if any, to their ancestral homeland- while also growing up within an American culture that is too often misinformed and antagonistic toward their ancestral homeland.
Featuring artwork by electronic time-based media artist and associate professor of Emergent Digital Practices at DU, Laleh Mehran; Justin Mashouf, 3 time Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker; Arya Ghavamian, photographer and video artist featured recently in Vanity Fair, and Performance and mixed media artist Amitis Motevalli.
Photography by: Amanda Tipton
Gallery View- front wall
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel
Digital C-Print
2005 / 2010
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated set)
Amitis Motevalli
Available
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel
Digital C-Print
2005 / 2010
20.003333" x 13.626667 (image size)
27" x 19.5" (framed)
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated images)
Amitis Motevalli
Available
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel
Digital C-Print
2005 / 2010
16.003333" x 19.456667" (image size)
24" x 25" (framed)
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated images)
Amitis Motevalli
Available
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel
Digital C-Print
2005 / 2010
16.000" x 19.45333" (image size)
22" x 26" (framed)
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated images)
Amitis Motevalli
Available
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel
Digital C-Print
2005 / 2010
16.010000" x 18.88667" (image size)
22.5" x 26.5" (framed)
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated images)
Amitis Motevalli
Available
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel - letter
Inkjet on linen paper
2005 / 2010
11" x 14" (image size)
13" x 15" (framed)
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated images)
Amitis Motevalli
Available
Installation View
Before the War
Digital Print on 100% Cotton Paper
Arya Ghavamian
Before the War
Digital Print on 100% Cotton Paper
21" x 27"
Arya Ghavamian
Available
Before the War
Digital Print on 100% Cotton Paper
19" x 31"
Arya Ghavamian
SOLD
Before the War
Digital Print on 100% Cotton Paper
21" x 27"
Arya Ghavamian
Available
Before the War
Digital Print on 100% Cotton Paper
21" x 27"
Arya Ghavamian
Available
Before the War (detail)
Digital Print on 100% Cotton Paper
21" x 27"
Arya Ghavamian
Available
Warring Factions (Documentary)
DVD
Justin Mashouf
Available
on left: Call to (Dis)Arms (2013) + Spring Movements (2011)
Music Video
Justin Mashouf
on right: Warring Factions
Documentary
2010
Justin Mashouf
Gallery View
Foreground
on the left television: Call to (Dis)Arms (2013) + Spring Movements (2011)
Music Video
Justin Mashouf
on the right television: Warring Factions
Documentary
2010
Justin Mashouf
Background
right wall: Dominant Policy
Single Channel HD Digital Video
2013
Laleh Mehran
Warring Factions (Documentary)
DVD
Justin Mashouf
Dominant Policy (still)
Single Channel HD Digital Video
2013
Laleh Mehran
Dominant Policy (still)
Single Channel HD Digital Video
2013
Laleh Mehran
Dominant Policy (still)
Single Channel HD Digital Video
2013
Laleh Mehran
Gallery View
Gallery View
left wall: Dominant Policy
Single Channel HD Digital Video
2013
Laleh Mehran
On Right:
Confiscated Portrait of the Artist as a Young Rebel
Digital C-Print
2005 / 2010
(Set of 5 pieces confiscated by Homeland Security)
Individual print prices upon request (non-confiscated set)
Amitis Motevalli
Installation View
Installation View
Leon is open Wednesday-Friday 10-6pm + Saturday-Sunday 12-5pm.
Leon is also available as an event space Contact us for specifics and availability